Fan shares love for Haggard

Published 5:42 am, Thursday, April 7, 2016

Local musician Steve Burrus will perform at Plainview Second Friday event April 10 at the Fair Theatre.

Local musician Steve Burrus will perform at Plainview Second Friday event April 10 at the Fair Theatre.

Fan shares love for Haggard

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The legendary outlaw of country music made his way to the great gig in the sky Wednesday as the world said goodbye to the Okie from Muskogee, Merle Haggard, who died on his birthday at the age of 79.

With three dozen No. 1 country hits in a span of six decades, Haggard's musical influence was astronomical, especially for a Plainview jeweler who still has Merle's concert ticket proudly displayed on his desk and an autographed guitar in his home.

"It's a huge loss," said Steve Burrus, the owner of Plainview's Artisan Jewelers and a die-hard Haggard fan.

A renowned musician in his own right, Burrus has made Haggard classics a part of his set lists for decades.

"His songs told stories, stories that were interesting," said Burrus as he referenced songs like "They're tearing the labor camps down," which reflected Haggard's childhood growing up picking peaches and living in a labor camps.

"They're just not around anymore," said Haggard in a 1972 television interview.

"And it's kind of like we don't need to build anymore. It's like we don't need the man with two hands anymore. Another insinuation of the machine replacing the man. But we still have that man, where's he going to go? Where's he going to go?"

It was songs like that which captivated Burrus even at young age.

"I first heard Merle at the age of 6," Burrus said.

Burrus said his dad owned a black 1966 El Camino and the first and only 8-track stuck in the stereo was Merle Haggard and the Stragglers.

As he grew up, Burrus learned to play the guitar to Haggard songs like "Swinging Door" and "I think I'll just stay here and drink."

In his younger years, Burrus toured the country, playing Haggard songs and originals on his 1977 Martin D-35 acoustic guitar which he recently retired after getting it autographed by his hero.

"It was (like) winning the lottery," Burrus said.

Attending a Merle Haggard concert with friends Colby and Stephanie Boedeker and with Hall of Fame fiddle player Gary Williams, Burrus brought along the Martin guitar hoping to get it signed, even though the chances were slim.

"Stars like Merle don't give out signatures, but I was hoping I had the right connections," Burrus said with a laugh.

The Boedekers were able to get Burrus' guitar into Haggard's green room with six other guitars.

After the show, Burrus found out Haggard signed three of them, unfortunately his wasn't one of them.

"I was heartbroken," Burrus said.

However, the group of friends were able to meet Merle's cousin. The Boedekers told the cousin how big of a fan Burrus was. Convinced, the cousin grabbed the guitar and walked into Haggard's tour bus.

"He signed it," said Burrus who was just in shock.

After decades of playing the guitar, Burrus instantly decided to retire the signed acoustic.

Burrus said he will always try to keep Haggard's music alive. In fact, Burrus, who is opening for Little Texas on April 23 at the Floyd County Banquet at the Unity Center in Muncy, says he is going to dedicate the show to Haggard.

"It's an amazing thing to know he's gone," said Burrus. "You know it's coming, it's coming for all of us. So we've got to enjoy every day."